Mushroom spawn culture



Dec. 5, 1933. L. F. LAMBERT uUsHRooM SPAWN CULTURE Filed Aug. 31, 1932 i 3 md .II lllllllllnlllllll.

JM NNN Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The invention relates to mushroom spawn culture. The object is to provide improved method and means for the packing and the culture of the substrate, for the transportation and for the discharge of the mushroom spawn.

In accordance with the present practice, the mushroom or bottle spawn is produced by packing properly prepared manure or other substrate into an ordinary bottle, usually a quart bottle of lo milk bottle shape. The bottle is usually packed full of substrate,'and then a hole is bored through the center from top to bottom to give adequate air space and also a space for introduction of the culture. After sterilization, inoculation and incubation, in the usual way, the resulting bottle spawn is sold to the mushroom growers, who, in order to use the spawn, must smash the bottle in order to render the spawn available for planting.

In accordance with the present invention, improved method and means are provided for packing the substrate, for providing the central hole or channel in the same, properly positioned, for maintaining a division of the spawn in two or more easily separated parts, and in facilitating the withdrawal or dislodgment of the spawn from the container without the necessity of breaking said container.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates, merely by way of example, a suitable embodiment of the invention- Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the container, showing the closure for the bottom, separated therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2, 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View in perspective of the partition member.

Similar numerals ref en to similar parts through- 40 out the several views.

In the example shown in the drawing, the container or receptacle 7 of glass or other transparent and substantially impervious material, is of nearly conventional bottle shape, with the bottle neck 8 and opening 9 at the top. The cylindrical part of the container has a gradual but uniform increase in diameter from near the top or neck end to the bottom. The bottom is open, as at 10, to its maximum interior diameter and is provided with an external thread 11 near the lower edge. A threaded cap or closure 12 is provided with thread 13 for cooperating with the thread 11. A gasket 14 is provided to secure more effective closure.

A partition 15 is provided preferably of metal,

such as copper, with very smooth surfaces, having marginal dimensions corresponding to the longitudinally tapering diameter of the container 7, so that said partition will naturally assume a diametrical position when inserted in the container, to dividethe container into two substantially equal compartments. This partition 15 is provided with a median rib 16 of substantially circular cross-section, and extending longitudinally of the said partition.

This partition member 15-16 preferably extends slightly into the curved upper end of the container, leaving a space 17 above it.

This partition member, as shown in the drawing, may be said to be formed oi a median longitudinally extending rib of circular cross-section with two diametrically extending wings. It will be obvious however that more than two wings may be provided if desired, all extending radially from the central rib.

In accordance with the present invention the partition member 15-16 is inserted through the bottom or large opening 10 of the container, and if desired the space 17 at the top of the partition member l5-16 may be temporarily lled with a 80 suitable body such as sponge rubber.

The substrate is then introduced through opening 10 and packed in the container about the partition member 15--16. When this packing has been completed the partition member 15-16 is 85 withdrawn from the container, leaving the substrate in two separate bodies, with a channel extending longitudinally on the axis of the container. The removal of the partition member 15-l6, without disturbing the substrate, is facilitated, due to the fact that the surfaces in the partition member 15--16 are made as smooth as possible and the inside of the container has a slightly waving or undulating surface, which is usual in blown glass structures, which tends to 95 restrain the substrate during the withdrawal of the partition. The closure 12, which is preferably provided with the gasket 14, is then securely screwed upon the bottom of the container effectively, to close said opening 10; the opening 9 is 100 closed with a cotton stopper. After sterilization, inoculation and incubation, in the usual way, the container with its spawn is ready for delivery to the grower.

All that is required of the grower is to' remove 105 the closure 12, and, due to the slightly aring shape of the container, the spawn is easily dislodged from the container, in two or more bodies, depending upon the form of the partition member 15-16. The spawn thus discharged is free 110 from particles of broken glass, is perfectly ciean kand is in condition for planting, and the uninsulting spawn being thus presented in a clean uninjured mass and in a state easily prepared for shipping purposes.

2. The method of mushroom spawn culture which consists in forming'and maintaining the substrate in adjacent bodies of definite `dimen= sions, protected from deleterious contacts during sterilizatipn, inoculation and incubation, and dise charging the resulting spawn into the atmosphere in clean coherent masses.

3. The method of mushroom spawn culture which consists in forming and maintaining the substrate in a body of definite dimensions, with a simultaneously formed;z medial channel extending longitudinally therethrough, said substrate protected from deleterious contacts during sterilization, inoculation and incubation, and dis= charging the resulting spawn into the atmosphere in a clean coherent mass.

4. A mushroom spawn culture device, compris-= ing a container with appropriate closure means, adapted for receiving and maintaining the substrate in` a substantially compact body, protected from deieterious contacts during sterilization,

inoculation and incubation, said container having a uniformly increasing diameter from one end to the other for facilitating the discharge of the resulting spawn in a coherent mass, and a formation adapted to be axially positioned within the container for forming'a channel in the substrate during the packing of the same in the container.

5 A mushroom spawn culture device, comprising a container `with appropriate closure means adapted for receiving and maintaining the substrate in a substantially compact body, protected from deleterious contacts during sterilization, inoculation and incubation, said container having a uniformly increasing diameter from one end to the other for facilitating the discharge of the resulting spawn in coherent masses, and a formation adapted to be positioned within the container for forming the substrate into separated bodies during the packing of the same in .the container.

6. A mushroom spawn culture device, comprising a container with appropriate opening and closing means, including a discharge opening and a lesser opening of ample dimensions for the introduction of filtered air to the interior of said container, a wad or plug of porous material such as cotton in said opening, said container adapted for receiving and maintaining the substrate in a 'substantially compact body, protected from dele- 

